Steve McQueen’s Thrilling Heists & Sultry Romance in 1968 Classic!

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A year after winning Best Picture at the 40th Academy Awards with “In the Heat of the Night,” Norman Jewison produced another enduring film, “The Thomas Crown Affair.” While these films are very different, they both continue to be relevant almost 60 years since their initial releases, for distinct reasons.

In addition to its captivating name, “The Thomas Crown Affair” boasted genuine star appeal with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. McQueen was on the brink of a career-defining phase, but he had already made a name for himself with many notable films and even an Academy Award nomination. At that time, Dunaway was still rising through the ranks, but she had recently attracted significant attention for her role in the box office sensation “Bonnie and Clyde”.

Initially, Richard Burton and Sean Connery were considered for the role of Thomas Crown, but they declined the offer. Instead, Steve McQueen took on the part, deviating from his usual roles by portraying the title character. Thomas Crown is a prosperous financial magnate based in Boston who has amassed a substantial fortune through his own thriving enterprise. Beyond his status as a wealthy tycoon, Thomas is an adrenaline junkie who indulges his love for thrill-seeking activities such as golf tournaments with high stakes, glider flights, polo matches, and dune buggy rides on the beach.

He derives his greatest thrill from orchestrating bank robberies, not for financial gain but for the exhilaration. Known as the mastermind, he meticulously coordinates every aspect of the operation, even choosing the final destination like a cemetery for the drop-off. He watches his team execute the plan without revealing his identity. Instead, he hires five strangers anonymously, communicating only through indirect means. His personal involvement is minimal, limited to retrieving the loot from the designated spot.

The film initiates with a stylish blast as Jewison and cameraman Haskell Wexler capture Thomas’ newest heist in a sequence of intriguing shots. The bank robbery is executed flawlessly, netting $2.6 million. Once he settles the debts of his team, Thomas transfers the remaining funds into a Swiss bank account, then relaxes to savor his ill-gotten gains.

Without any clues or suspects, the police ultimately decide to stop their investigation. However, the bank’s insurance company has too much on the line, so they invite Inspector Vicki Anderson (played by Fay Dunaway) to take over the case instead. It soon becomes apparent that she is relentless and operates outside of legal boundaries. Her primary motivation is financial gain – she stands to receive 10% of whatever she manages to recover, and her methods reflect this ruthless pursuit of earnings.

Vicki zeroes in on Thomas as her main suspect, using tenuous links at most. She promptly introduces herself to him and makes no effort to conceal either her identity or her purpose. Self-assured yet intrigued, Thomas engages in a sensual game of cat-and-mouse with him. They start dating and eventually fall for each other. However, building trust is another matter entirely. Over time, Thomas finds himself embroiled in an exhilarating cat-and-mouse game against a captivating adversary who’s more than ready for the chase.

In the role of Thomas Crowne, McQueen proved to be an intriguing casting decision, displaying a performance that ranged from perfectly fitting to slightly awkward at times. Throughout the movie, he exuded rugged charm and conviction. However, there were moments when his working-class screen persona seemed at odds with the sophisticated and refined character he portrayed. Despite these instances, McQueen managed to pull off the role effectively. Moreover, he generated some electrifying chemistry with Dunaway, whose charming demeanor hid a more cunning nature.

The movie “The Thomas Crown Affair” was a hit at the box office, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. It eventually won an Academy Award for Best Original Song (“The Windmills of Your Mind”) by Michel Legrand and has since garnered more positive assessments. In fact, it spawned a successful 1999 remake featuring Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Regarding the original 1968 film, it’s not considered one of Norman Jewison’s top films. However, “The Thomas Crown Affair” has retained an enduring charm that, for the most part, remains relevant today.

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2025-03-25 17:57